Dimi Konstantopoulos believes Hartlepool can now fully focus on winning the League Two title after virtually sealing promotion with a 1-0 home win over Accrington.

Konstantopoulos kept a club record 24th clean sheet of the season as Richie Barker's second-half penalty sank Stanley.

Pools are not mathematically up yet with four games to go, but they have a 12-point gap on fourth-placed MK Dons and a vastly superior goal difference, meaning it would take a monumental slip-up to be denied League One football.

"We had to win and the pressure is off us now," said the Greek goalkeeper. "We can go and challenge for the title a bit more relaxed.

"It's a reward for the whole season and we've had a great run. The 23 games unbeaten ended on Saturday, but it was still a great run.

"All of the boys have worked hard all season and this is the reward. We are enjoying it all and we want to make sure we are still top at the end of the season."

Pools dominated the game but were made to sweat after James Brown hit the bar twice and Barker opted for precision instead of his usual power and missed a first-half spot-kick.

But the former Mansfield striker showed a cool nerve to beat David Martin from 12 yards at the second attempt after he was brought down by Godwin Antwi.

Accrington were reduced to 10 men five minutes later when substitute Andrew Mangan was sent off for tripping up Michael Nelson in front of the referee.

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Darlington goalkeeper Sam Russell has admitted that Lincoln should have been credited with a last-gasp winner in yesterday's 1-1 draw at the 96.6 TFM Arena.

Junior Mendes' appeal that he had forced the ball over the line in an injury-time scramble was waved aside by referee Mick Jones - who is being considered for promotion to the Premiership - and his assistant.

But Russell said: "I think it was over the line. When I ran after the ball after it was cleared I was making a token gesture. I expected the goal to be awarded.

"It also hit Ricky Ravenhill on the hand, so we were relieved to get away with it.

"But we should have put the game to bed in the first half. We had enough chances."

Darlington dominated for 75 minutes, but had only Julian Joachim's goal to show for it. Lee Beevers headed an equaliser 14 minutes from time.

Russell failed to reach the corner that led to the goal, but denied Jamie Forrester a winner with a breathtaking save.

"For the goal, the ball held up in the wind, and there were a lot of bodies in my way. For me it's not about the saves I make, but the goals we concede," said the former Boro keeper, who has been in excellent form since reclaiming his place in the side.